Which buildings would you like to see restored? West Bromwich MP hosts survey on £3m government funding

West Bromwich MP Sarah Coombes has urged people to “get involved” with a £3 million scheme to transform some of Sandwell’s derelict buildings.

Miss Coombes has launched an online survey asking residents to suggest sites they would like to see renovated.

The government funding, announced by Communities Secretary Angela Rayner this week, can be used to acquire long-neglected buildings, transfer buildings into community hands or bring vacant buildings back into use.

Miss Coombes said the money would form part of a broader government drive to support Sandwell’s regeneration plans, including the £20m Tividale Pride in Place funding, which aimed to give decision-making power to residents to improve their local community.

The fund can be used to support the restoration of high street buildings, including but not limited to shops, offices, former places of worship, department stores and other heritage buildings, pubs, theatres of cinemas.

Local authorities can determine the most appropriate projects based on local need, community views and wider regeneration plans, and the funding can be used for one large ‘statement’ project or a number of smaller ones. Councils are encouraged to prioritise buildings on high streets or town centres.

Miss Coombes urged members of the public to get in touch with their suggestions through her survey on the website sarahcoombes.co.uk/campaigns/derelictbuildings.

She said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to use this money and make a visible different to our high street and town centre.

“We are all fed up of empty shops and feeling that some buildings are left to go into disrepair. It can make us feel like things are declining and not improving. But we have a chance to turn that around.”